In the two days since Thanneth and her companions had departed on their ride to Imladris, Thranduil had paced the stronghold, generally accompanied by a hovering Húrdir. They spoke in low voices, Húrdir jotting notes on a scrap of parchment before hurrying away to speak with another.
The elves skirted around Thranduil- word had spread about the prince, and Thranduil's mood was sour more often than not. While Legolas had not declined in health, neither had he improved. The elvenking was playing a waiting game, it seemed, on many fronts. One with the poison Legolas fought, on waiting for Elrond's arrival or reply, and another concerning the news from Legolas's fallen soldier. He had not shared this information with any, save Húrdir and the master in arms, Thalanir. It would not do to have such rumors flying around the palace, especially with the prince already in peril.
It was early in the morning on the third day after the prince had returned to the stronghold. Thranduil had risen early after another sleepless night. Húrdir had threatened to give the king a sleeping draught if he did not rest- he had been awake and stressing for two straight days. The wise advisor had also forced the king to eat more than a light biscuit and wine. Thranduil was one who would get so wrapped up in his work that he would forget to take are of himself. 'It is both a blessing and a curse,' thought Húrdir. He forced a goblet of cool water into the king's hand, and dumped Thranduil's previous choice of beverage- Dwarven ale- into a nearby plant. A cry of dismay escaped the king's lips before Húrdir hushed him.
"You'll poison your stomach, drinking all this alcohol. Drink some water, eat some food, and for the Valars' sakes, take a nap!"
Thranduil scowled, "I'll do no such thing." But then the king raised the glass to his lips, swallowing with a grimace. Shaking his head, he set the glass on a nearby table. Picking up some parchment from his desk, he began to flick through the pages.
"What's our count for fatalities this week?" asked Húrdir.
Not looking up, Thranduil answered, "Twenty-seven."
"Including the prince's patrol?"
"No. That's excluding Legolas's troops." Thranduil sighed. "So many elves lost. And more will be lost, I fear. What am I to do? The blood of my people waters these trees, and their flesh feeds orc bellies. How can we fight this darkness alone?" He replaced the reports on his desk and resumed pacing, hands clasped behind his back.
Húrdir watched the king's motions but did not speak.
The king spoke again. "And now, we receive news that the serpents of the north are waking. We cannot fight a war on two fronts. My people live in trees! Trees, Húrdir!" Shaking his head, Thranduil continued ranting, "I will not leave, but my people cannot remain in this danger! What am I to do?" He wiped his hands over his face, before turning to the advisor, pleading, "What am I to do?"
Húrdir finally stood, placing his hands on the king's shoulders, stilling his steps. "Enough. Let us go spar to take your mind away from these cares, if not for a brief moment. Perhaps a break from these stifling halls will bring new ideas."
"No." Thranduil replied harshly, throwing Húrdir's hands off his shoulders. "Not today." The pacing resumed, the king's agitation showing more clearly. "We have ten days, at least, until Lord Elrond will be arriving. If our riders arrive safely, that is. I must have some semblance of a plan. Lord Elrond may provide guidance, but if I cannot even summon one small plot, a single idea, my people will fall." Thranduil sank into a chair, the weight of a falling kingdom pulling his head into his hands.
Húrdir walked to the door. "I have no answers, my king. I am afraid I must prepare for my meeting with Thalanir. Do not forget our evening council meeting. And finish that water." He exited, the door snapping shut behind him.
Thranduil did not finish the water. And he forgot the council meeting. When a messenger scurried up to him, with a note from Húrdir, the scrawl asking if he would be attending, or if they should begin without the king, Thranduil penned his own note back. He apologized for his absence, but denied the council his presence, claiming a headache. It wasn't a complete lie, he told himself. His head was aching from trying to solve every problem at once. He roamed the palace halls, each step dragging him closer to the hospital wing, then away again.
When he found himself outside the vast library, he paused. Perhaps some study could shed new light on the situation. Not that he hadn't studied the ancient texts and writings in the past. But it had been some time, and never for the specific purpose he now felt he must. The scent of aged parchment hit his nose as he pulled open the heavy door. The library was empty, thankfully, and he closed and barred the door behind him. He did not wish to be interrupted by anyone, not even the most well-intentioned servant.
The shelves holding information on dragons were full, but it was a text detailing the fire drakes that Thranduil pulled from the shelf. Settling on the floor, back propped against the bookshelf, he gently cracked the book open. Thranduil knew of the great fire drakes to the north, but neither tale nor tell of their movements had been hear for many, many years. Could they be in alliance with the dark forces beginning to spawn in the southern forest? Unlikely, though not impossible, given the nature of the attack on Legolas's patrol. The dragons had retreated into the Northern Wastes, or the Grey Mountains centuries earlier, and there remained, biding their time, it seemed. Thranduil shifted, settling in for a long night of blessedly uninterrupted study. Thank goodness he kept a small stash of wine in nearly every room he frequented.
A/N: FRIENDS! I'm back! If not just to present you this short update. I have a very sincere apology for you. I realize that it has been more than a year since I updated this poor story. And I am sorry. Life just got so crazy, and I meant to write, and then I just didn't. Not that ya'll care, but I got a promotion last year, and that made my life even crazier, and then school, and then coronavirus… Hopefully you understand. I've got great grand plans for my life, and they include finishing this story lol. I've been studying up on my Tolkien timelines and I realized that mine is off by just a bit, so it won't quite be cannon, but I'm going to try my best to squeeze it in as best I can. Shoot me a message or a review, I'd love to hear from you. Much Love!